I am often asked whether the originals need to be mailed. They don’t, and they shouldn’t be. Old paper is fragile and irreplaceable. A careful scan or photo gives me everything I need, and in many cases a digital image is easier to read than the original, because I can enlarge it and adjust the contrast.
If you have a scanner
- Scan in color, even if the letter looks black and white. Faded ink often shows up better in color.
- Use at least 300 dpi. For small or very faded handwriting, 600 dpi is better.
- Save as JPG or PDF. Both are fine.
- If ink from the back of the page shows through, place a sheet of black paper behind the letter before scanning.
If you only have a phone
- Lay the letter flat on a plain, dark surface near a window. Daylight is best.
- Turn the flash off. It causes glare and washes out faint ink.
- Hold the phone directly above the page, not at an angle, and make sure the whole page is in the frame.
- Tap the screen to focus on the writing, and check that the photo is sharp before moving on.
- Send the photo in its original size. If you use WhatsApp, send it as a document so it is not compressed.
Don’t skip these
- Both sides of every page. Writers often continued in the margins, upside down, or on the back.
- The envelope. Addresses, postmarks and stamps can give a date and a town that the letter itself does not.
- The order. Number the files in the order of the pages, or tell me if you are not sure.
Tell me what you know
Write down the names, towns and approximate dates you already know, even if you are not certain. Family names and small town names are the hardest words to read in any letter, and a hint from you often confirms the right reading.
When your files are ready, send them for a free quote.